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Stories and Storytelling Blog by David M. Armstrong

Right Here. Right Now.

—News and views from David M. Armstrong

February 5, 2010

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT... 

Inspiration. There are many definitions, but my favorite is:

Divine guidance or influence exerted directly on the mind and soul of humankind.

All of us seek inspiration in our daily lives and all of us have the power to inspire others through our words and works. One of my favorite ways to inspire others is through storytelling.

Storytelling makes the complex simple. It's genuine and enjoyable. And there is always a moral. I tell stories because it makes me a more effective leader and helps me accomplish my most important task-preserving the culture of my company, Armstrong International.

Through stories I have created an environment in which people are more receptive to change and new ideas. Stories enable me to inspire people and you can too. Every company has a rich heritage of stories. What's yours?

November 23, 2009  

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT ... 

As I meet with various radio and television personalities and continue spreading the good word on Armstrong International, one theme constantly keeps coming up in our conversations - that is, how very few companies' today practice following the "Golden Rule." Just how hard is it to treat others as we would wish to be treated?

As we pick up the newspaper and watch television, we are consistently flooded with immoral behavior and people taking advantage of other people. The end result is very negative and sad in so many cases.

I, on the other hand, take great joy and pride in bragging about how we do things quite differently than the "norm" at Armstrong International. How we have a workforce that cares for one another. How we do indeed treat others as they wish to be treated, and how the "Golden Rule" is actually our company motto. Perhaps it is why I receive so many e-mails and other correspondence from people and companies that want to know how they can be like us.

Remember the advertising jingle, "I want to be like Mike." This was in reference to Michael Jordan, former NBA playing great and basketball legend. How about other companies that say, "I want to be like Armstrong International." WOW!! What a compliment, and one that we hear so often. What a testimony to the great PEOPLE of Armstrong International. You are who you hang out with and you are only as good as your people. Never forget either of those.

As Thanksgiving and Christmas approach, I can honestly say that I am so blessed as the President of this great company to work with ALL OF YOU - THE OUTSTANDING PEOPLE OF ARMSTRONG INTERNATIONAL!! I am also thankful of our heritage, our culture and our faith-based roots. GOD continues to bless this company in so many ways.

I can think of no better compliment to all of us than to hear someone say, "I would like to work at Armstrong International." Or, "I want to be like Armstrong International." It honestly gets no better than this. Doing the "right thing" is always better than doing the "wrong thing." Yes, people today really do want to work in a company that does the "right thing."

I know that I am blessed many times over to be a part of a GREAT TEAM, KNOWN AS ARMSTRONG INTERNATIONAL. I wish you and your families a great Thanksgiving and a Merry Christmas!!

God Bless you all!!
David Armstrong
President  

            

September 16, 2009

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT ...

As President and Chief Executive Officer of Armstrong International, I hold the strong belief that we live daily by our core values. I stress that these are important values that were established long ago by my great grandfather and founder of our company, Adam Armstrong.

Without a solid foundation, you cannot be successful in business. Our company is unique in that we have a workforce venturing through our second century of business that practices our core values in how we treat each other on the job; how we respond swiftly to our many customers; and how we respond to our outside representative sales force - thus, creating an enjoyable experience for all. It is important to practice what you preach, if anyone is to take you seriously.

Our core values drive our company on a daily basis. To understand our core values best and what they stand for, here they are:

  1. Faith in God 1st; family 2nd; and your job last. Yes, you heard right, your job last. We have a full-time corporate chaplain on staff and our own chapel. Yes, we live this!
  2. Honesty. Break this core value and you will lose your job. Truth lasts forever, lies for a moment. Be honest!   
  3. Fairness. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Be fair!
  4. Respect. Something you earn through your actions. Being a better listener, making eye contact and appreciating that each person has value.  Respect others!
  5. Trust. Trust comes from being trusted. Trust one another!
  6. Loyalty. Armstrong International has never had a layoff since its inception in 1900. Employees work for a lifetime. Be loyal!
  7. Dignity. How you will you respond to difficult circumstances - will you rant and rave or will you show some self-control? Be dignified!
  8. Hard-working. Always give 100% in everything you do. Don't cheat yourself, or the company by doing anything less than this. Work hard!
  9. Kindness. Be kind to others. How hard is that? Follow the Golden Rule.
  10. Fearless. To fail is to not try. If you don't try, you'll never know what the outcome will be, or what success feels like.
  11. Safety. Don't do anything that will compromise your safety or those that you work with.

Enjoyable experiences are created by practicing the core values.  This makes us the successful global company we have become and will continue to be — well into the future.

July 20, 2009

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT ...

"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Sounds simple doesn't it? It should be, but why do so many people or companies have such a hard time understanding this, let alone practice it? Just read the newspaper headlines or turn on your TV to see the latest scandal involving someone that did not practice ... "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

At Armstrong International, our company motto is: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." It is a way of life for us and how we practice our daily business.  One of the strongest things we have to fall back on in our fine company starts with our company motto and our core values. Our core values includes the following: Faith in God; Family; and Job (in this order); Honesty; Fairness; Respect; Trust; Loyalty; Dignity; Hard-Working; Kindness; Fearless; and Safety.

We often have customers visit our various global facilities and they get dipped in our company culture from the moment they enter our doors. Without our motto and company culture, we are simply just another company. We feel this makes us very unique in how we do business and treat our people - from our employees to customers. It is one thing to say it, and another to do it. If you don't practice what you preach and promote, no one will believe you. You must walk the talk each day.  

We are blessed to have a company that is comprised of so many outstanding people that actually live our motto and practice our core values. During some of my speeches that I give outside of the company, many other company leaders want to know how they can replicate Armstrong International overnight. I tell them that they can't, and that it takes many, many years to establish the foundation we have. However, I also always share with them that there is no time like the present in these troubles times, to start a company culture that will lead them into the future in a successful manner.

Armstrong International continues to grow stronger as a reputable business team, because we place high value in our motto and core values. It is never too late to begin practicing and living our motto: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

              

May 13, 2009

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT ...

As we read all about the negative stories that engulf us, it is important for us to realize that we are certainly a unique story at Armstrong, in an otherwise unsettled global economy. As I have been on the airwaves across America, every radio host is always amazed at how we conduct our business in such an honest/ethical manner - and, they are further amazed that we follow the Golden Rule (Do unto others as you would have them do unto you). A simple, but yet very powerful message from everyone I speak to today.

I am so darned proud to affiliated with so many great people in our organization here.  Having Pat Williams initially read the manuscript from my latest book (Hanging By A Thread/The Erosion of the Golden Rule in America) was quite an honor as well - particularly, when he officially endorsed the book by writing the foreword. Pat is the Senior Vice President of the Orlando Magic of the National Basketball Association. Pat is an accomplished author and speaker. When people from the outside looking in, compliment our great company as Pat did, that is a true reflection on our great people here. Again, it makes me very proud to be associated with all of you.

We are a true American success story in a sea of stormy economic conditions, as we witness corporate America struggle through one of the worst times we've ever seen nationwide. I know that we have been blessed here in so many ways. But, it all starts with the people or any successful organization. I am humbled when key leaders from other companies want me to speak to their organizations about "how to run a successful company."  Wow, we can get no better compliment than that! How about the many people that visit our company and want to fill out an application for employment? Wow, another powerful statement and validation from the outside.

Perhaps our best and most valid confirmation that we're doing some things really, really well come from those that are on the outside looking in. I, for one, am truly honored to be leading a company that is comprised of so many outstanding people. And, I could not be more pleased to be on the inside of an organization that smacks of professionalism and top-notch people. Remember our core values and what we stand for as a company - it has truly set us apart from the rest of the corporate world. If you don't believe me, just pick up a newspaper today or tune in to the latest business news headlines on any TV news network.

We are a strong company that stands proudly upon the firm foundation and principles of operating our faith-based business in an honest, fair and highly ethical manner.  Again, let us not ever forget what has helped to mold us into the global success story we continue to be.

God Bless,
David Armstrong  

November 25, 2008

A Living Company

David Armstrong recently addressed over 125 students and college leaders at Hillsdale College as part of their renowned "Leadership Speakers Series." 

Armstrong is in good company with those that have spoken at Hillsdale College in the past, inclusive of: the 40th President of the United States, Ronald Reagan; John Stossel from ABC News; and Britain's first female Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher -- to mention just a few of the household names that have appeared at the private college founded in 1844, and situated in southern Michigan.

In a recent letter to David, Hillsdale College President Larry P. Arnn said, "What you are doing at Armstrong is outstanding. Your friendship with Hillsdale College is one that we cherish and we thank you again for speaking to our students."

Here are some excerpts from David Armstrong's speech at Hillsdale College in November of 2008.  

April 22, 2008

The future belongs to the fast.

The evidence surrounds us. Life moves in the fast lane, and living at full blast will lay you low if you slow down. Or if it doesn't bowl you over, it will flatten your potential and opportunities to maximize success. Hop on a keyboard and access Websites from anywhere on planet Earth. Board a plane and be continents away in a matter of hours.

Pick up a phone and have a global presence in as little time as it takes to punch a few buttons on a keypad. And you can do at least two of those things with a compact little device that probably also does duty as a camera, calculator or who knows what else. The rats in the race are still rats, but they're moving faster all the time. And it seems like getting on with life in any significant way depends on getting up to speed and keeping the pedal to the metal.

Not so long ago, one-on-one relationships were a safe haven for a slower pace. After all, the wonderfully mysterious process by which men and women found each other, grew to know and appreciate one another and finally fell in love and were married was usually a slow and measured undertaking. The very parts of the process so memorable to many of us were pleasant and unhurried. You know-the walks in the park, the deep conversations over long dinners, the endless hours spent together in front of movie screens and concert stages.

Well no more. Can you hear the wheels of yet another fond memory come screeching to a halt? TA DA! It's time for speed dating, baby! Yep. Seems like a lot of singles today are just too busy to meet people. If you don't opt for the bar scene and are not keen on dating co-workers, so the story goes, speed dating may be just what Cupid ordered.

It goes something like this. After paying a fee to take part in one of these events, singles meet a number of people in a quick succession of "dates" (conversations) lasting only a few minutes each. At whatever the interval happens to be (usually no more than 10 minutes), a bell or signal sounds and everyone rotates to the next "date." At the end, attendees pass on to organizers the names of the party or parties with whom they want to share contact information. When a match occurs, info is passed to both parties.

Urgency is about how you think.  I really believe that only the quick will survive.  At their very heart, the problems of the American automobile industry, to take a popular example, is the loss of urgency.  Just doing things fast is not enough.  Having a sense, having a culture, focused on urgency means there is an understanding of why things need to be done quickly, what will happen when you do and who will ultimately benefit.

Urgency is a way of life, a strategy for success.  I hope every Armstrong employee understands the importance of speed -- and takes action.  Urgency is attitude.  The faster things get, the faster we want them.  The computer program that takes a few seconds to load seems exasperatingly slow.  I know I'm guilty.  I'm spoiled.  I want it NOW.  I recently did a little experiment that drilled several things home to me.  The first was the enormity of the Internet as an information resource.  The second was the almost magical ability of search engines to locate information.  And third?  That would be my growing dependence on the first two--and it happened almost without my recognition.  Fifteen years ago the Internet did not exist, at least in any mainstream way.  Today, it dictates how and at what pace we live our lives. 

Armstrong Proverbs to Live By:

©2009 David M. Armstrong
www.armstronginternational.com